Research

UCF Solar Scientist Named Fellow of National Academy of Inventors

A University of Central Florida scientist who specializes in emission-free hydrogen-production systems has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

Nazim Muradov of UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center was recognized for his contributions to the field of clean alternative fuels. He has invented several innovative processes for efficient production of hydrogen fuel from resources such as solar energy, water, biomass and biogas.

Hydrogen fuel has traditionally been used by NASA as rocket fuel and is also an important “clean” fuel alternative for electric vehicles.

Muradov holds 44 U.S. patents in the field of hydrogen energy and technology and environmental remediation and is the lead inventor on 27 of those.

He worked with colleagues at FSEC and NASA Kennedy Space Center to develop an innovative tape that can be used to detect hydrogen leaks. That tape, which was marketed by the UCF spinoff company HySense, has been recognized with a 2014 R&D 100 award and in 2016 was recognized with NASA’s Commercial Invention of the Year Award.

“The technologies that are being created at UCF by scientists like Dr. Muradov are being used in ways that solve real-world problems and help define the future,” said Elizabeth Klonoff, vice president for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Election to NAI Fellow status is a high professional distinction accorded to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.

The 2016 Fellows will be inducted April 6 as part of the Sixth Annual Conference of the National Academy of Inventors at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston. U.S. commissioner for patents Andrew H. Hirshfeld will provide the keynote address for the induction ceremony. In honor of their outstanding accomplishments, Fellows will be presented with a trophy, medal and rosette pin.

Academic inventors and innovators elected to the rank of NAI Fellow are nominated by their peers for outstanding contributions to innovation in areas such as patents and licensing, innovative discovery and technology, significant impact on society, and support and enhancement of innovation.